Railway-switch-operating means



Oct 9 1923.

C. J. KELLOWAY RAILWAY SWITCH OPERATING MEANS Fi led Jan. 22, 1923 INVENTOR'.

NW ATTORNEY Patented that. 9, llQZZZBQ RAILhVAY-S'WITCH-OPERATING IWEAN S.

Application filed January 22. 1923. Serial No. 614,200.

To all iii/1 (mi N; m (27/ concern Be it known that l. Crmnnns .l. Knnno- WAY. a citizen of the United States, residing at Wilmington, in the county of New Hanover and State o't North Carolina. have invented certain new and useful improvements in Railway-Switch-Operating Means. of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to means for operating the movable points of railway switches, and has for an object the provision of means for eliminating lost motion or loose ness in such mechanisms.

I will describe one term of apparatus embodying my invention, and will then pointout the novel "features thereo't in claims.

In the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a view showing in vertical cross section part of a railway switch. and in trort elevation one form oi actuating mechanism adapted for co-operation therewith and embodying my invention. Fig. 52 is an end view of the actuating mechanism shown in Fig, 1. Fig. 3 is a top view of the actuating mechanism shown in Figs. 1. and 2. Fig. 4; is a view showing in vertical section along line lV-TV, the mechanism shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each ot the three views.

Referring first to Fig. 1. the reterence character I) designates a fixed rail of a rail way switch and the reference character l l designates a switch point capable of being moved into and out o't engagement with said rail by longitudinal reciprocating motion ot a switch rod ll operably connected therewith and actuated by any convenient means. As shown in the drawings, the con nection between rod 1?. and switch point E is as follows:

Attached to two opposite faces of the switch rod R. which as shown in the draw ing is of rectangular cross-section are two lugs Ti. These lugs are rigidly fastened in place by means of rivets 1 passing through rod 1% and are provided with forward extending shoulders ll spaced from the rod and having beveled ends 41 as best shown in Fig. The rod R passes through a rectangular hole in a rail foot F which is held in fixed relation with respect to rod R by means of a bolt A which passes through rod R and also through holes in the foot F as shown in Fig. 4. This toot F is provided with a tongue F which enters the space between rod R and shoulders L on lugs L. The foot F is further provided with two outstanding shoulders F having beveled edges The web 7 of foot F is "fastened to the switch point E by means of bolts G which pass through holes 2 provided in. this web. As shown. in Fig. 3 these holes are slotshaped. thus allowing easy connection to various switch points having considerable difference in the spacing of their bolt holes.

Since manufacturing reasons make it almost impossible to secure a tight fit between toot F and rod and since the natural rig1 dity oi" the walls of toot F makes it ditlicult to secure suiiicient pressure by bolt A, it is plain that some play or lost motion will rcsult between these two members, that is, the loot F and the rod B. This is undesirable because it results in wear and looseness and consequent uncertainty of operation. in order to prevent this ll insert a bolt B through holes in red. B and tongue F of foot F, through which holes bolt B passes with considerable clearance. Two wedgeshaped members C are carried on this bolt and are so disposed that when drawn together by tightening of nut B on bolt B a torce is exerted which tends to move lugs L and foot F apart. Since lugs L are rigidly fastened. to rod R the result is that toot F is moved toward the left, thus eliminating the space between bolt A. and foot F and rod R. Nut l3 is retained in any given position on bolt B by means oi a split lock washer B Although I have herein shown and described only one torm of apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. In combination, a railway switch comprising a switch point, a switch toot connected therewith, a switch rod capable of reciprocating motion, lugs rigidly attached to said rod and means interposed between said foot and said lugs for connecting the two without lost motion.

2. In combination, a railway switch comprising a switch point, a switch foot attached to said point, a switch rod capable of reciprocating motion, a lug rigidly fastened to said rod, and a wedge for connecting said lug with said foot; I

8. In combination, a railway switch comprising a switch point, a switch foot attached to said point and provided with a hole, a switch rod capable of reciprocating motion and inserted in said hole, abeveled shoulder on said foot, a lug rigidly fastened to said rod and having a beveled shoulder, a bolt passing through said foot and said rod, a wedge, and meansfor causing said wedge to engage said beveled shoulders whereby to prevent lost motion between said foot and saidrod.

for causing said wedge to engage said beveled shoulders whereby to prevent lost motion between said foot and said rod.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CHARLES KELLOVAY. 

